CY Leung nomination for China advisory body role ‘a reward’ for efforts to curb Hong Kong pro-independence forces
Expected appointment of Hong Kong’s leader to nation’s top advisory body is acknowledgement of his work to curb separatist forces, state leader tells advisers
Outgoing Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s expected appointment to China’s top advisory body is an acknowledgement of his efforts to curb pro-independence forces in Hong Kong, state leader Yu Zhengsheng told the city’s advisers to Beijing on Monday.
Leung has been nominated to become a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), with its standing committee set to discuss and approve the matter on Tuesday. He is also expected to be elected vice-chairman at the closing of the CPPCC’s annual session on March 13, which would effectively make him an elder statesman.
CPPCC standing committee member Chan Wing-kee said special meaning was attached to the chief executive’s appointment to the national body.
“First, it means the central government values Hong Kong,” he said. “Second, Leung made high achievements during Occupy [protests in 2014], and did his utmost in suppressing Hong Kong independence forces.
“Third, it shows the central government’s insistence on ‘one country, two systems’, and negation of Hong Kong independence.”
While Chan declined to confirm if he was quoting CPPCC chairman Yu, another source with knowledge of Monday’s meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the state leader had made the same points during the discussion.